Kenneth L. "Kenny" Smith

Kenneth L. "Kenny" Smith, 80, of Creston, died Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Creston Specialty Care in Creston. Celebration of Life Services will be 10:30 Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Services will be livestreamed under his obituary and events at www.powersfh.com. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Pastor John Van Nostrand will officiate. Open visitation will be 2-7:00 p.m. Monday, August 18, 2025, with family receiving friends from 5-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to a local Animal Rescue Effort. Online condolences can be left at www.powersfh.com.

Kenneth Lee Smith was born on August 25, 1944, in Creston. He attended Pleasant Township Rural school through 4th grade. The family moved and then he attended Arispe Schools through the 8th grade. He then graduated from East Union High School in 1963. Following graduation, he worked several carpentry jobs and drove a gravel truck for Ken Nurnberg. In August 1965 he joined the US Navy and was Honorably discharged in 1969.

On June 11th, 1966, he was united in marriage to Donna Pitkin of (Shannon City). Immediately following their marriage, they left on their new life journey back to his military base in San Diego, California. They welcomed their first son Randy while there.

New orders sent him to Guam for 8 months where Donna and Randy went back home to Creston, Iowa. After his return from Guam their second son Darrell was born. Once his military path ended, he worked for the Creston Water Department for four years, then began his 30 year career with Iowa Southern Utilities and Alliant Energy, retiring in October 2002.

They raised their boys on their farm near Creston later creating their forever home that Ken designed and built by hand. They enjoyed camping, sports, and time with family, especially grandkids. Retirement included lots of traveling, bus trips, cruises, and wintering in Arizona.

Survivors include his wife Donna Smith of Creston; one son, Randy (wife Alissa) Smith of Greenfield; his brother, Ron Smith of Shannon City, his sister, Jean Gruver of Clive; daughter-in-law Becci Berry of Winterset; four grandchildren, Carla (Kara Beaver) Smith of Harvey, IA., Raegen Smith (significant other Eric Morley) of Ottumwa, Ashton (Zach) Scadden of Winterset, and Lane Smith of Winterset and great-grandson, Ridge Scadden.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Wayne and Marie Pitkin, son Darrell Smith, daughter-in-law, Brenda Smith, his brother, Bob Smith, sisters-in-law, Mary Smith and Diana Meinke, brothers-in-law, Dennis Pitkin and Don Gruver.

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